Washing machine transfer valve

ABSTRACT

A washing machine including a washing compartment for alternatively receiving either one of a first type of articlecarrying dolly having a conduit system and a second type of article-carrying dolly not having a conduit system, a fluid inlet in the washing compartment, a rotatable spray head mounted in the washing compartment, and a transfer valve connected to the fluid inlet and responsive to the type of dolly received in the washing compartment for controlling the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the spray head when the second type of dolly is in the compartment and to the conduit system of the first type of dolly when the first type of dolly is in the washing compartment.

United States Patent Barnun, deceased [451 Sept. 25, 1973 WASHING MACHINE TRANSFER VALVE Inventor: John J. Barnun, deceased, late of Niagara Falls, N.Y. by James M.

Kieffer, assignee, Pittsford, N.Y.

Assignee: Sybron Corporation, Rochester,

Filed: May 19, 1970 Appl. No.: 38,747

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 656,908, July 28, 1967, Pat. No. 3,529,773.

U.S. Cl. 134/56 D, 134/144, 134/178, 239/452 Int. Cl. B08b 3/02 Field of Search 134/56 D, 144, 152, 134/176, 178, 179, 191, 198; 239/204, 251, 452, 456

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Faust 134/144 2,568,429 9/1951 Burnam et al. 239/452 3,009,470 11/1961 Zurek 134/144 X 3,253,784 5/1966 Long et a1 239/251 X Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge Att0rneySchovee and Boston 5 7 ABSTRACT inlet and responsive to the type of dolly received in the I washing compartment for controlling the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the spray head when the second type of dolly is in the compartment and to the conduit system of the first type of dolly when the first type of dolly is in the washing compartment.

16 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures i t a i Z 5 5 a 44 42 j I z CLOSED POSITION -12 ll' 11 I 20 i IO WASHING MACHINE TRANSFER VALVE This application is a divisional application of my copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 656,908 filed July 28,1967 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,773 and entitled Washing Machine Transfer Valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to washing machines of the type adapted to receive article-carrying dollies therein and more particularly to the combination of a washing machine and a transfer valve for connecting a fluid inlet in the washing compartment to either a conduit system of the dolly or to a rotatable spray head within the washing compartment.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior to the present invention, the selective connection between the fluid inlet, in a washing compartment adapted to receive different types of article-carrying dollies, and one of: a sprayhead mounted in the compartment, and a conduit system of a dolly received in the compartment, had to be accomplished manually, and included the necessity of interchanging the transfer valve and the rotatable sprayhead.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises the combination of: a washing machine having a washing compartment adapted to receive different types of article-carrying dollies; a first type of dolly having a fluid conduit system therein and fluid spray openings for directing fluid against articles supported on the dolly; a second type of dolly not having such a fluid conduit system therein; a rotatable sprayhead mounted in the washing compartment; an inlet valve mounted in the washing compartment; and an improved transfer valve for selectively connecting the fluid inlet to the rotatable sprayhead or to the conduit system ofa dolly received in the washing compartment automatically in response to the type of dolly received in the washing compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof, when read in conjunction with the attached drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention with parts broken away; and

FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 with the exception that the parts are shown in a second relative position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures, I provide a water fluid inlet 10 only the top portion of which is illustrated. It will be understood that this is rigidly mounted in the bottom of a washing machine and communicates with a source of water.

Inlet l terminates at its upper end in a smaller outside diameter, vertically extending tubular inlet conduit or valve body 12, forming a shoulder with the lower portion of the inlet 10. I provide an annular collar 14 resting on the shoulder of inlet pinned to the upper tubular valve body 12. The pin 16 passes through two coaxial bores in the sidewall of the valve body 12. I provide a flanged bolt or stop member 18, rigidly threaded at 20 through the pin 16. There are a pair of relatively large coaxial outlet ports 22 in the sidewall of the tubular valve body 12 which .provides communication between the valve body 12 and a sprayhead 24 rotatably embracing the outside circumference of the tubular valve body 12, as for example, by a pair of annular seals 26 seated in internal annular shoulders formed in the upper and lower ends of a tubular shank portion 28 of the sprayhead 24. There are a pair of horizontally extending sprayhead branch conduits 30 having a plurality of perforations 32 in the upper surface thereof, which perforations are preferably provided at such an angle to the vertical axis that the water being expelled therefrom causes the sprayhead 24 to rotate.

Internally of the tubular valve body 12, I provide a tubular valve or valve member 34 telescopically slidable therein. Sealing means are provided between the external sidewall of the valve member 34 and the internal sidewall of the valve body 12 by a plurality of O- ring seals 36, seated in angular grooves in the external sidewall of the valve member 34. Valve member 34 terminates at its lower end in an internally disposed annular flange 38 defining a port40 larger in diameter than the shank of the flanged bolt 18 and smaller in diameter than the head 42 of the bolt 18. In this manner, the head 42 of the bolt 18 serves as a closure for the valve member port 40 when in the uppermost position illustrated in FIG. 2, but permits the passage of water in the manner illustrated by the arrows 44 in FIG. 1, when the valve member 34 is in an intermediate position illustrated in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, it will be understood that when there is no water pressure internally of the inlet 10 and tubular valve body 12, the valve member 34 drops by gravity to its lowermost position (not shown) in which the internal flange 38 of the valve member 34 engages the pin 16 which is the inactive lowermost position of the valve member 34.

I illustrate only a fragmentary portion of a lower surface or bottom 46 ofa dolly or other slidable frame carrying accessories (not shown in detail) corresponding to the dolly of the Francis S. Fraust U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 608,702, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,863. When the dolly is inserted into a washing machine, it is properly oriented by roller and track means internally of the washing machine which is well known in the art and not illustrated here. When the dolly comes to its properly oriented position in the washing machine a resilient grommet or seal 48 of the dolly bottom 46 is brought into vertical alignment with the vertical center axis 50 of the valve member 34. The seal 48 has an inlet port 52 which receives water or fluid pressure as indicated by the arrows 44 which is then delivered through a conduit system in the dolly (not shown) to spindles carried by the dolly (not shown). The spindles support glassware or other items to be washed in the washing machine in a manner well-known in the art and described in the heretofore mentioned Faust application. Water passing through the valve body 12 applies sufficient force to the lower surface of the valve member internal flange 38 thereby to elevate the valve member 34 to the FIG. 1 position in which the outlet port defined by the open end at the upper end of the valve member 34 is brought into sealing relationship with the resilient seal 48. In this position, the fluid circuit is completed to the outlet orifices of the dolly spindles (not shown).

It will be noted that in this intermediate FIG. 1 position, the two lowermost O-ring seals 36 seal the port 22, of the valve body 12 so that no water can pass into the rotatable sprayhead 24. However, when the bottom of the dolly 46 including the resilient seal 48 carried thereon are removedfrom the dolly (not shown), that is, when using a different or second type of dolly not having means such as the seal 48 in such a position as to stop upward movement of the valve member 34, then upon water pressure being applied to the lower surface of the valve member 34, it is elevated to its uppermost position shown in FIG. 2, thereby sealing off the port 40 and diverting the flow of water as indicated by the arrows 54 of FIG. 2 into the branches 30 of the sprayhead 24 to actuate the sprayhead 24 to rotate about the valve body 12. This provides a spray of water to the articles supported in the washing machine on said second type of dolly (not shown) above the hereinabove described water transfer valve.

It will be understood from the above description of the two positions (port open and port closed) that, by providing a dolly having a bottom 46 at a higher level than shown in FIG. 1 but lower than that of said second type of dolly, i.e., lower than what would permit the valve member 34 to move to the port open position of FIG. 2, I am able to provide any intermediate position of the valve 34 depending upon the height of level of the bottom 46 and port 52. Thus, when the valve member 34 is stopped in anyone of a selected height position between port open (FIG. 2) and port closed (FIG. 1), the water will have a divided path and flow both to the port 52 as indicated by the arrows 44 and to the sprayhead 24 as indicated by the arrows 54. In this manner, I am able to provide water simultaneously to wash inside of bottles supported on spindles (not shown) being supplied water from port 52 while spraying the outside with water from sprayhead 24. This is a significant aspect of my invention.

While I have described the preferred form of my invention it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made therein, without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

I. In a washing machine having: a washing compartment adapted to alternatively receive a first type of article-carrying dolly having a conduit system and a second type of article-carrying dolly not having a conduit system; a fluid inlet in said compartment; and a sprayhead mounted in said compartment, the improvement comprising:

a transfer valve connected to said fluid inlet and including means responsive to the supply of fluid under pressure from said fluid inlet to said transfer valve,for automatically supplying fluid from said fluid inlet to said sprayhead when said second type of dolly is in said compartment and for automatically supplying fluid from said inlet to said conduit system of said first type of dolly when said first type of dolly is in said washing compartment.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for automatically supplying fluid includes means for sensing which type of dolly is in said washing compartment.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for automatically supplying fluid includes means for supplying fluid simultaneously to both said sprayhead and said conduit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transfer valve comprises:

an inlet valve body including a port communicating with said sprayhead; and

a transfer valve member including a port adapted to communicate with said conduit system, and movably mounted on said inlet valve body responsive to fluid pressure from said inlet valve body for movement to one of a first position closing said inlet valve body port and opening said transfer valve member port and a second position opening said inlet valve body port and closing said transfer valve member port.

5. In a washing machine having a washing compartment adapted to receive different types of articlecarrying dollies in said washing compartment and a fluid inlet mounted in said washing compartment, the improvement comprising a transfer valve connected to said fluid inlet and including means responsive to the type of dolly received in said washing compartment for controlling the flow of fluid through said fluid inlet.

6. A washing machine comprising a washing compartment adapted to alternatively receive a first type of article-carrying dolly having a conduit system and a second type of article-carrying dolly not having a conduit system; a fluid inlet in said compartment; a spray- 30 head mounted in said compartment; and a transfer valve movably connected to said fluid inlet for movement toward a dolly received in said washing compartment, said transfer valve including means for connecting the fluid inlet to said conduit system when said first type of dolly is received in said compartment and for connecting the fluid inlet to said sprayhead when said second type of dolly is received in said compartment.

7. A washing machine comprising a washing compartment adapted to alternatively receive different 40 types of article-carrying dollies therein, a first type of article-carrying dolly having a conduit system including fluid outlet openings for directing fluid onto articles carried by said first article-carrying dolly; a second type of article-carrying dolly not having a conduit system; a fluid inlet in said compartment; a sprayhead mounted in said compartment; and a transfer valve movably connected to said fluid inlet for movement toward a dolly received in said washing compartment and including means for directing the flow of fluid from said fluid inlet selectively to said conduit system and to said sprayhead in response to the type of dolly received in said compartment.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transfer valve and said means for automatically supplying fluid include a first fluid passageway for feeding water to'said conduit system and a second fluid passageway for feeding water to said sprayhead.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said transfer valve and said means for automatically supplying fluid include a valve member movably mounted on said fluid inlet for movement toward a dolly received in said compartment.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 including means for closing said second passageway and for opening said first passageway when said valve member contacts a dolly, and for opening said second passageway and closing said first passageway when said valve member does not contact a dolly in said movement of said valve member toward a dolly.

11. The apparatus according to claim wherein said transfer valve and said means for automatically supplying fluid include a tubular valve body connected at its lower end to said fluid inlet and having a radial opening therethrough forming part of said second passageway and having an open upper end, said valve member being tubular, open at both ends, and mounted for axial sliding movement inside of said tubular valve body, a stationary closure head located inside of said valve member and downstream from said radial opening for contacting and closing the lower open end of said valve member when said valve member does not contact a dolly, said valve member closing said radial opening when said valve member contacts a dolly, said valve member having a first position contacting a dolly, closing said radial opening, closing said second passageway and opening said first passageway, and a second position not contacting a dolly, contacting said closure head and closing said first passageway and opening said radial opening and opening said second passageway.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1] wherein said first type of dolly includes means for stopping said valve member in said first position.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said second type of dolly includes an opening through which said valve member moves into said second position.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said sprayhead is mounted for rotation about said valve body.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sprayhead is mounted for rotation about said fluid inlet.

16. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said transfer valve and controlling means include a first fluid passageway and a second, different fluid passageway, and wherein said controlling means selectively controls the flow of water through said passageways in response to the type of dolly in said compartment. 

1. In a washing machine having: a washing compartment adapted to alternatively receive a first type of article-carrying dolly having a conduit system and a second type of article-carrying dolly not having a conduit system; a fluid inlet in said compartment; and a sprayhead mounted in said compartment, the improvement comprising: a transfer valve connected to said fluid inlet and including means responsive to the supply of fluid under pressure from said fluid inlet to said transfer valve,for automatically supplying fluid from said fluid inlet to said sprayhead when said second type of dolly is in said compartment and for automatically supplying fluid from said inlet to said conduit system of said first type of dolly when said first type of dolly is in said washing compartment.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for automatically supplying fluid includes means for sensing which type of dolly is in said washing compartment.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for automatically supplying fluid includes means for supplying fluid simultaneously to both said sprayhead and said conduit.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transfer valve comprises: an inlet valve body including a port communicating with said sprayhead; and a transfer valve member including a port adapted to communicate with said conduit system, and movably mounted on said inlet valve body responsive to fluid pressure from said inlet valve body for movement to one of a first position closing said inlet valve body port and opening said transfer valve member port and a second position opening said inlet valve body port and closing said transfer valve member port.
 5. In a washing machine having a washing compartment Adapted to receive different types of article-carrying dollies in said washing compartment and a fluid inlet mounted in said washing compartment, the improvement comprising a transfer valve connected to said fluid inlet and including means responsive to the type of dolly received in said washing compartment for controlling the flow of fluid through said fluid inlet.
 6. A washing machine comprising a washing compartment adapted to alternatively receive a first type of article-carrying dolly having a conduit system and a second type of article-carrying dolly not having a conduit system; a fluid inlet in said compartment; a sprayhead mounted in said compartment; and a transfer valve movably connected to said fluid inlet for movement toward a dolly received in said washing compartment, said transfer valve including means for connecting the fluid inlet to said conduit system when said first type of dolly is received in said compartment and for connecting the fluid inlet to said sprayhead when said second type of dolly is received in said compartment.
 7. A washing machine comprising a washing compartment adapted to alternatively receive different types of article-carrying dollies therein, a first type of article-carrying dolly having a conduit system including fluid outlet openings for directing fluid onto articles carried by said first article-carrying dolly; a second type of article-carrying dolly not having a conduit system; a fluid inlet in said compartment; a sprayhead mounted in said compartment; and a transfer valve movably connected to said fluid inlet for movement toward a dolly received in said washing compartment and including means for directing the flow of fluid from said fluid inlet selectively to said conduit system and to said sprayhead in response to the type of dolly received in said compartment.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transfer valve and said means for automatically supplying fluid include a first fluid passageway for feeding water to said conduit system and a second fluid passageway for feeding water to said sprayhead.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said transfer valve and said means for automatically supplying fluid include a valve member movably mounted on said fluid inlet for movement toward a dolly received in said compartment.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 including means for closing said second passageway and for opening said first passageway when said valve member contacts a dolly, and for opening said second passageway and closing said first passageway when said valve member does not contact a dolly in said movement of said valve member toward a dolly.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said transfer valve and said means for automatically supplying fluid include a tubular valve body connected at its lower end to said fluid inlet and having a radial opening therethrough forming part of said second passageway and having an open upper end, said valve member being tubular, open at both ends, and mounted for axial sliding movement inside of said tubular valve body, a stationary closure head located inside of said valve member and downstream from said radial opening for contacting and closing the lower open end of said valve member when said valve member does not contact a dolly, said valve member closing said radial opening when said valve member contacts a dolly, said valve member having a first position contacting a dolly, closing said radial opening, closing said second passageway and opening said first passageway, and a second position not contacting a dolly, contacting said closure head and closing said first passageway and opening said radial opening and opening said second passageway.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said first type of dolly includes means for stopping said valve member in said first position.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said second type of dolly includes an opening through which said valve member moves into said second position.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said sprayhead is mounted for rotation about said valve body.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sprayhead is mounted for rotation about said fluid inlet.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said transfer valve and controlling means include a first fluid passageway and a second, different fluid passageway, and wherein said controlling means selectively controls the flow of water through said passageways in response to the type of dolly in said compartment. 